Hi
Since the weather has started changing and turning into autumn, Toby appears to be hungry all the time, yes i know what your thinking :rolleyes: labs are always hungry and yes Toby is a greedy lab but for the last 3/4 days he has been asking for his dinner early, one day he even asked for dinner at noon i usually feed him in the evening about 4pm, now even though i have had dogs before Toby, they were terriers alot more fussy with there food,
do you think i should up his food, he has been on a diet because he was over weight, his weight is about right now,
also before the diet i was feeding him twice a day but because the diet ment he had a smaller amount of food i am giving him fruit in the morning and his complete food in the evening,
I have a cat and i find she eats more this time of year to fatten herself up for the winter, i was wondering if Toby is trying to do the same thing ?

Heidi

I have not given in to him and fed him early because i dont want to get him into bad habbits.

he has been on a diet because he was over weight

I think that is the telling phrase there ;)

If you can just feel his ribs on his sides then he is right. He is just greedy like Delta is. I would ignore him *asking* for food early and stick to what you feed him AND the time you usually feed him :)

he has been on this diet for 4 months now and never asked for his dinner early until now,

Heidi

It sounds like he is just trying it on :) Wait until one of the Lab people get here ...they will know more :)

Thankyou Melodysk,
As i say i have ignored him dont want him getting into bad habits, thinking every time he asks for food he will get it,
Labs ay greedy little monsters :D

Heidi

Stick to the mealtimes I assume you have wormed him recently? labs are dustbins and will eat all the time if allowed so stick to mealtimes with a handful of biscuits in the morning perhaps when he is asking you could give him a chewy stick that will occupy him or even a raw carrot.

Thankyou Mattie
he is wormed every 3 months, he was wormed 2 weeks ago, i do give him fruit and veg which he loves and also yogurt occasionally, now he has lost the weight i may try giving him a handful of his complete food in the morning :)

Heidi

good idea or spillers shapes  or even slice of brown bread I once new a  man with greyhounds I wa sdriving for a bakery at the time he bought all the old brown bread said it was great for dogs

I like Bonios. Crunching those helps their teeth.

Dogs spending long periods outside in the cold of winter need a little more food. The covering of fat keeps the cold out. The only thing is, it's not really got cold yet so you can rule that out.

I've never found a Labrador who really thought he had enough food to keep body and soul together so I would not worry too much. You have to steel your heart and say no. Not easy I know but there it is.

Regards, John

You like Bonios do you John, i have never tried them myself :D

Toby lives in the house with us, so i think he is possibly just being a greedy guts, thanks for you help John :)

Heidi

Actually Heidi, I try most things I give my dogs. I figure if they are not good for me they are not good for my dogs either! Somethings seem rather bland but I've not tasted anything which I would say is down right nasty. If you see an old man walking around Crufts picking up samples of dog food and eating it then it will likely be me!

Regards, John

Wel are your surprised, about 90% of the labs I know would eat for England. The ones that are fussy (one of mine included), are all male - don't know if that is a common thing.

My bitch is a dustbin, and would ask on the hour for food if allowed. If she is really really aggitating, I give her a carrot, or some cauliflower, but I get her to do something so she sees it as a treat. we stick to the mealtimes and don't vary this if at all possible.

Labs have a reputation for being hungry, and it is important to thwart their desire to eat and eat and eat. They are also clever enough to pull on your heart strings with those appealing brown eyes - but don't give in.

You are doing all the right things so I would not worry.

Thankyou all,
I feel so much better now, i was just worried that i was under feeding him,
he is a very greedy lab but well behaved as in he never steals, so when he started asking for food i thought he must be hungry, obviously just a new trick he has learnt he is 18 months now but i havent given in and wont,
thankyou again for all your help :)

Heidi

I can't ever remember seeing a pet labrador that was too thin, and I must have seen hundreds!

From observing obedience classes and dog shows I would guess that at least 9 out of 10 dogs (of all breeds) would have their food cut down if they came to live with me!

I feel exactly the same Havoc! :D

What about giving him a raw meaty bone such as a rib or a recreational bone,such as a marrow bone to gnaw on until dinner rolls around,they are good for dogs and have the added bonus of keeping them occupied AND keeping their pearly whites bright :D
Other have suggested Bonio's or a big carrot stick,there are lots of things you can give him that will satisfy but not fattify ;)
Or you could try giving a larger serving of breakfast,add a bit more yogurt or low fat cottage cheese,could there be a possibility that he really IS hungry? I would try the non-fat alternatives before ignoring him,you and your dog will be much happier :)

Christine

My girls have been the same the last few weeks :0 They always tend to change their  eating habits with the changes in season. We do tend to let them put a bit of insulation on during the winter but then slim them out when spring arrives.

Don't worry about thinking your are starving him as they are the doggie worlds best breed at faking the 'I am going to waste away unless I get some food now ! ' trick :D

I normally give fruit an apple ,pear or a banana or some veggies , either a carrot,tomato or anything I have that needs eating !

HTH

Lucy
xx